The Never Ending Story
Written by The Common Man   
Wednesday, 16 June 2010 23:13

My apologies to Bill, as I had hoped to get a post up earlier today.  But then work went to hell and I was unable to get to it until now.  But it’s still Wednesday, so here’s your daily something:

We have all enjoyed the career of Junkballin’ Jamie Moyer.  He’s not a Hall of Famer, mind you.  After 24 seasons in the Major Leagues, Moyer has managed to win 265, against 201 losses.  His 3.23 ERA (4.23) is only 4% better than the leagues he pitched in.  In almost 4000 innings, Moyer has struck out less than 2400 batters.  And his average fastball hasn’t topped 82 miles per hour since 2002.  hat said, Moyer has enjoyed something close to  banner season in 2010.  He’s the oldest pitcher since Phil Niekro.  He’s among the ten oldest men to play a major league game, and mny of the othes (Satchel Paige, Minnie Minoso, Jim O’Rourke, Deacon McGuire were novelty acts.  Moyer, meanwhile, has managed to hang above replacement level, has two complete games and a shutout this year, and tonight managed to beat the World Champion Yankees.  Moyer went 8 strong innings, striking out five and giving up only 3 hits (two of which were solo homers).

And sure, it’s hilarious to make fun of how old Jamie Moyer is, as the Mariners did all the way back in 2006.


But it’s more revealing to really consider Moyer’s career in a larger context, beyond his statistics and beyond he Methuselah jokes.  Here are a few things to consider:

  • Jamie Moyer has pitched during he administrations of five US Presidents, Reagan, H.W. Bush, Clinton, W. Bush, and Obama
  • Jamie Moyer debuted with Greg Maddux on the 1986 Chicago Cubs.  Maddux was three years younger.  Maddux retired two years ago with 355 victories; Moyer’s still pitching, and is just 89 wins behind him.
  • Jamie Moyer played with Ron Cey, who played with Hoyt Wilhelm, who played with Bob Elliot, who played with Heine Manush, who played with Ty Cobb.  That’s five degrees of separation.
  • Jamie Moyer debuted on June 14, 1986.  Two months later, Nick Adenhart was born in Maryland.  Adenhart was tragically killed when his car was hit by a drunk driver in April of last year.  Adenhart’s entire life including his major league career took place during the career of Jamie Moyer.
  • In addition to Maddux, Moyer also outlasted Mark Grace, Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa, Juan Gonzalez, Kenny Rogers, Armando Benitez, and Nomar Garciparra, despite being on the roster already when each them debuted.
  • And, perhaps most impotantly, Moyer is the last remaining active player from the 1988 Panini Baseball Sticker album that I tried desperately to complete in the winter of ‘88.  Just look:





Alas, it’s 22 years later.  My sticker book still isn’t finished, but neither is Jamie Moyer.  And at this rate, I just might have time to get done before he does.  Anybody have any doubles?


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Comments (1)Add Comment
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written by Bill@TDS, June 17, 2010
He's not a Hall of Famer...but it's always important (to me) to note that if he's not, neither is Jack Morris. Nearly identical IP and ERA+, and Moyer now has almost as many strikeouts and many fewer walks. To believe Morris is a Hall of Famer, you have to believe that one really good World Series game is all it would take to propel Jamie Moyer there.

Next time I'm back at my parents' house I'm going to seek out my own copy of that sticker book and see how far I got. Might even have a few doubles tucked in there, who knows...

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